Winding machine



May 21, 1968 Filed July 26, 1966 J. E. DI MEGLIO WINDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGI INVENTOR JOSEPH E. Di MEGLIO BY WM ATTdRN YS YFIGT y 1968 J. E. DI MEGLIQ 3,384,314

WINDING MACHINE Filed July 26, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR JOSEPH E. DiMEGLlO BY/MN, W Wk 7 04:,

FIGZ

ATTORNEYS y 1968 J. E. m MEGLIO 3,384,31

WINDING MACHINE Filed July 26, 1966 5 SheetsSheet 4 FIG.6

INVENTOR JOSEPH E. DiMEGLlO ATTORNEYS y 1, 1968 J. E. 0| MEGLIO 3,384,314

WINDING MACHINE Filed July 26, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 F I INVENTOR JOSEPH E. DiMEGLlO AT'i'ORNEYS United States Patent 3,384,314 WINDING MACHINE Joseph E. Di Meglio, Johnston, R.I., assignor to Leesona Corporation, Warwick, R.I., a corporation, of Massachusetts Filed July 26, 1966, Ser. No. 567,903 14 Claims. (Cl. 242-47) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for presenting on signal one of a variety of different yarns for winding on a rotating bobbin. The signal is derived by automatically sensing an indicator on the bobbin onto which the yarn is to bewound.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic bobbin winding machines such as exemplified in US. patent application Ser. No. 231,390, filed Oct. 18', 1962, now Patent No. 3,327,736, and US. Patent No. 3,227,384, issued J an. 4, 1966.

In general, the foregoing patent and patent application disclose automatic mechanism operable in conjunction with an automatic bobbin winding machine for carrying a plurality of different types of yarn, and means operable to deliver on signal a selected one of the yarns to a bobbin in the winding machine for winding thereon. The signalling means employed in conjunction with the mechanisms of the cited patent and patent application includes electromechanical means interconnecting .the' associated bobbin reserve magazine with the yarn selection system. The bobbin reserve magazines are normally of the variety which are divided into a number of compartments, each compartment being adapted to contain a row of vertically superimposed bobbins, and the bobbins of each compartment usually being wound with a different type of yarn. The signalling means of said patent and application are operative to detect the presence of bobbins at several different levels in each of the compartments of the magazine. In the absence of bobbins at any of the several levels the signalling means operates to control the yarn selection system so that yarn of the particular type required to supply the least filled of the several compartments will be placed on the next bobbin to be wound. Hence, the signalling means will function to maintain a predetermined level or number of bobbins in each of the several compartments. The signalling means of the cited patent and patent application, while having a high degree of reliability, is relatively complex in nature. Such complexity presents factors of higher cost of initial manufacture as well as higher cost of maintenance.

Therefore, it is one object of the present invention to provide automatic mechanism for winding each of a plurality of bobbins with a selected one of the plurality of different types of yarn and incorporating mechanism for signalling the winding sequence of the several yarns onto the bobbins which is economical in manufacture and maintenance, and durable and reliable in use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic winding machine for winding a bobbin with a selected one of the plurality of different yarns and having mechanism which establishes the winding sequence identical to bobbin use on an associated loom.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide mechanism for transmitting a signal received from a bobbin prior to its winding which said mechanism is readily adaptable to existing bobbin winding machines.

A further object of the present invention is to provide bobbins having indicia thereon corresponding to a particular type of yarn to be wound on the bobbin.

Another object of the present invention is to provide 3,384,314 Patented May 21, 1968 automatic means capable of receiving a signal controlled by indicia on a bobbin to be wound and controlling yarn selection means for presenting a yarn of a given type for winding on said bobbin.

Other objects of the present invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing the construction, combination of elements and arrangements of parts which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and scope of the application which will be indicated in the claims.

While the present invention ,has particular utility in practising the inventions of the commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 231,390, now Patent No. 3,327,736, and US. Patent 3,227,384, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention will have other applications and it is not intended to limit the invention to use with the apparatus of the above patent application and patent.

Briefly, the present invention includes, in conjunction with automatic bobbin winding mechanism, yarn carrying means adapted to hold a plurality of different yarn in accessible condition for delivery to a bobbin to be Wound. Further, a sensing mechanism is provided which is operable to communicate with a bobbinas said bobbin is being transferred from a reserve position to a winding position on the winding mechanism. The sensing mechanism reads or senses indicia means formed on the bobbin and, responsive thereto, serves to actuate mechanism for controlling the supply yarn selection system. In consequence thereof the yarn carrying mean is actuated so that yarn of the type appropriate to the bobbin to be wound is presented to said bobbin after the bobbin has been donned in its winding position. As will be more apparent hereafter the indicia on the bobbin are correlated with a predetermined type of yarn to be Wound on said bobbin. Hence, bobbins are rewound in exactly the same sequence as they are discharged from the shutttle of an associated loom. This result is achieved because the spent bobbins are recycled to the winding mechanism in the same order that they are ejected from the loom shuttle.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

.FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an automatic bobbin winding mechnaism incorporating the present invention, the components of the invention being shown in the bobbin sensing position, and parts of the machine being broken away to illustrate operative elements therein;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the apparatus in FIG. 1 with a portion of the machine being broken away for clarity, the machine being illustrated as mounted on a loom;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic viewing of the bobbin sensing mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the winding machine housing illustrating certain parts of the automatic cycling mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a detailed view taken generally along lines 66 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a view of a plurality of bobbins modified for use in conjunction with the winding machine of the present invention, said bobbins being formed with different indicia corresponding to the type of yarn to be wound thereon;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the bobbin sensing mechanism taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a further detailed view taken along lines 99 of FIG. 1 and illustrating the cam operated linkage for actuating the bobbin sensing mechanism;

FIG. 10 is a detailed end elevational view of the linkage of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged detailed view in elevation of the mechanism for holding the yarn supporting means in position to deliver a particular type of yarn to the bobbin for Winding.

Turning now to a detailed decription of the invention, reference is firstly made to FIGS. 1 through 3. It will be a propriate initially to provide a description of certain parts which are more fully described in the prior cited patent and patent application to afford clarity and to furnish a full understanding of the instant invention. Thus, the numeral 10 designates a box-like casing which constitutes an integral part of the overall frame F of the winding machine. Casing 10 houses certain of the controls for automatically effecting donning and dofiing of the bobbins from the winding machine as well as the controls for the winding mechanism, as set forth in the cited patent and patent application. Casing 10 is mounted to a structural part of a loom L as by means of bracket 11 (see FIG. 2). A motor M is mounted on the top of casing 10 and constitutes the power source for opearting the winding machine. The winding machine includes a pair of axially aligned chucks 12 and 14 between which an active winding bobbin is supported. Chuck 12 is journalled for rotation in the left-hand wall of casing 10 (see FIG. 1), and chuck 14 is rotatably supported in tailstock bracket 16 which is an additional component of the winding machine frame F.

A shaft 18 is supported between casing 10 and tailstock bracket 16. Said shaft 18 provides a support for a yarn guide 20 which is slidable axially of said shaft. A traverse rod 22 extends from within casing 16 in a path parallel to shaft 18 and is enagageable threadedly with yarn guide 20. In the same manner as with the mechanisms of the cited patent and patent application, the traverse rod is operated to move the yarn guide in consequence of which supply yarn is caused to be wound on the rotating bobbin B from the but end to the apical end in the manner of a filling wind. After winding, each bobbin is automatically doffed and a fresh bobbin may be donned in position between chucks 12, 14 for winding. All of these operations are carried out automatically as set forth in the referenced patent and patent application.

A cross shaft or cycling cam shaft 24 is positioned within casing 10 to accommodate thereon a plurality of cams, three of which are especially germane to the present invention. These cams are numbered 28, 28 and 30. A pair of relatively heavy brackets 32, 34 are connected to parallel cross bars 36, 38, the cross bars, in turn being fixed to opposite interior walls of casing 10. The central region of each bracket 32, 34 is formed as a bearing for rotatably supporting shaft 24.

In the cited patent application there is described yarn carrier means operable to hold a plurality of supply yarns. Upon actuation, the carrier is rocked to align a selected yarn for delivery to the bobbin supported between the chucks 12, 14 for winding thereon. In accordance therewith a fan-shaped yarn carrier 42 is supported to rocking movement of a stud 44 embedded in a boss 46 welded to a mounting plate 48 which is, in turn, secured to the frame F of the winding machine. The yarn carrier includes a plurality of yarn guides Stla-d, each of which is operable to accommodate one of the several supply yarns Y and companion clamp-shear units 52a-d, each of which is operable to hold one of the yarn ends and to sever said end on signal.

Also, as fully explained in the aforementioned patent application a yarn delivery arm 54 is provided. This arm is arranged to move in a stroke of predetermined path and length. In the course of said stroke the arm 54 is operable to receive and hold a one of the supply yarns and to deliver this yarn over bobbin B. The particular supply yarn seized by arm 54 is determined by the position of carrier 42. That is to say, the carrier 42 operates to align a one of the supply yarns Y in the path of arm 54. It is the yarn which is so aligned which is delivered to the bobbin for winding.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, a positioning shaft 56 is provided for operating yarn carrier 42. Said positioning shaft 56 has one of its ends situated within casing 10 and this shaft extends outwardly from the casing through a suitable aperture with its opposite end terminating beyond yarn carrier 42. The inner end of positioning shaft 56 is connected to one end a generally vertical cam follower arm 58. The distal end of said arm 58 is loosely supported on bar 38 for rotation. The mid-portion of arm 58 has a cam roll 60 mounted thereon which is aligned to ride on the periphery of cam 30. The outer section of positioning shaft 56 is joined with yarn carrier 42 through linkage 61 so that as cam shaft 24 is rotated, the carrier 42 is rocked. This action, of course, is effective to present one of the several yarns held in the carrier 42 in position for interception by arm 54 as the arm moves forwardly toward a bobbin seated in winding position between chucks 12, 14. A spring 62 is connected at its opposing ends to a leg 6'4 fastened to the rear wall of casing 10 and to an appendage 66 fast on shaft 56. Said spring 62 serves to bias positioning shaft 56 leftward (viewing FIG. 3) and acts to hold roll 69 in engagement with cam 30.

In the prior cited patent and patent application mechanism is presented for automatically controlling the incremental feeding of the supply yarn onto the bobbin. This increment feed mechanism is adapted to regulate the rate of deposition of yarn onto each bobbin so that, notwithstanding variations from one type of supply yarn to another, the size of the various bobbins being wound will be generally alike. The present invention incorporates parts of this mechanism for automatically setting the increment feed control mechanism in unison with the selection of a given supply yarn to be wound.

Thus, an upstanding lever 68 is securely affixed to shaft 56 for movement therewith. A guide plate 70, which is connected to an interior side wall of casing 10 and which extends horizontally therefrom into the interior of the casing, is slotted at 72 to provide a guideway for lever 68 during its movement. As best seen in FIG. 1 the upper end of lever 68 is folded over as at 74. This folded portion is joined via link 76 with a plate 78. The end of plate 78 remote from link 76 carries a plurality of adjusting screws 80 which control the incremental feeding of yarn across the bobbin being wound.

It is further within the contemplation of the inventions disclosed in the cited patent and patent application that a reserve denuded bobbin will be automatically transferred from a magazine and donned between chucks 12, 14. In this connection there is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6 a magazine 86 for holding at least one denuded bobbin in reserve. In conjunction therewith mechanism is operable for transferring a bobbin to winding position. The mechanism for effecting this transfer includes a pair of quadrant-shaped arms 88, 89 mounted for rotative movement on a shaft 90. The forward ends of arms 88 are notched at 92 to adapt them to engage firmly with the barrel of the bobbin being transferred to winding position. During transfer, the bobbin is held against notches 92 by a spring biased plate 94 (FIG. I) mounted on a rod 96 which, in turn, is carried by an arm 98 slidingly mounted on shaft but keyed to rotate downwardly in unison with arms 88. Arm 98 is spring biased relative to said shaft 90 such that plate 94 is urged to engage the bobbin.

Viewing FIG. 6, shaft 90 is rotated through approximately ninety degrees of arc to rock the quadrant arms 88 and thus carry the denuded bobbins B down into winding position. This operation is performed by means of a bevel gear 100 (see FIGS. 1 and 5) which is fast on the inner end of shaft 90 and adjacent a bearing block 102 which rotatably supports the inner end of shaft 90. The gear 100 meshes with the teeth of a quadrant 104 rotatably supported on a stub shaft 106 fast in an arm 108 projecting outwardly from the block 102. The quadrant 104 is formed with an upstanding portion 110, to the outer end of which is connected a helical spring 112 anchored at its opposite end to a hook 114 fastened to the interior wall of casing 10. The spring 112 tends to rock the quadrant 104 in clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 5, to cause its teeth to turn the gear 100 for rotating shaft 90. In turn, rotation of shaft 90 as just described causes arms 88, 89 to swing in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 6. For rotating the shaft 90 in the opposite direction to swing the arms 88, 89, and plate 94 upwardly to rest position following delivery of a bobbin for winding, the quadrant 104 is rocked in the opposite direction against the tension of the spring 112 by means of cam 26 engaging a roller 116 journalled on a pin 118 fast in the lower triangular extension of the quadrant.

The cam 26 is so shaped that rotation of the crossshaft 24 will cause actuation of arms 88 and 89 in the desired sequence. Thus, cam 26 is configured to include a lobe 26a which operates the arms downward to carry the bobbin from the magazine 86 to the sensing position, dwell portion 26b which controls arms 88, 89 to momentarily interrupt bobbin movement at an intermediate location substantially mid-way between the magazine 86 and winding position, and a recess 260 which operates the arms to deliver the bobbin to chucks 12, 14. At the intermediate point, mechanism for identifying the bobbin being transported to thereby determine the kind of yarn which will be wound in the ensuing operation is actuated as will be fully described hereinafter. After the bobbin identity mechanism has completed its sensing operation, further rotation of cam 26 causes roller 116 to enter recess 26c and thereby actuates movement of arms 88 and 89 and to deliver bobbin B to winding position. It will, of course, be understood that during the foregoing bobbin transporting operation, shaft 24 and, hence, cam 26 are continuously rotating through one complete revolution.

As each bobbin is wound it is dropped into appropriate compartment of reserve supply magazine 86 (FIG. 1), the magazine and control means therefor being fully set forth in the prior cited patent. Further, as each bobbin is ejected from a shuttle of loom L it is received in a conventional bobbin stripper to have the residual yarn removed therefrom after which it is transferred by a conveyor C (FIG. 1) to be recycled to magazine 86 in a denuded condition. It will be appreciated that the cycling of the bobbins from the loom to the stripper means, and then via conveyor C to magazine 86 is handled so that the bobbins maintain the same order of entry into magazine 86 as their order of ejection from the loom.

The parts of the machine thus far described and their functions are the same as in the previously identified patent and patent application, except for modifications to be explained hereafter, and reference may be had to the said patent and patent application for more complete details thereof. The interrelationship of these parts with those of the instant invention will become obvious from the description hereinafter. The presentation of the foregoing will afford clarity and a full understanding of the preferred context in which the present invention is utilized.

In accordance with the instant invention, bobbins having identifying indicia thereon are employed in conjunction with the Winding apparatus. As illustrated in FIGS. 7a-7d the bobbins B are generally of standard size and shape consistent with bobbins normally employed with a loom winder. However, the :bobbins herein are slightly modified at their butt ends 119. Thus, viewing FIGS. 7a-7d it will be observed that a round or cylindrical bore or recess is formed axially in the butt end 119 .of each bobbin B, and rigid inserts or plugs 121 of predetermined length are applied to the respective recesses 120 of each of the bobbins 7b-7d by means of a force fit. It will be apparent that the plugs 121 are progressively thicker in the succeeding views from 7b-7d to the point where the thickness of plug 121 of the bobbin of FIGS. 7d is equal to the depth of recess 120 therein. As will be more fully apparent hereafter, the four slightly differing bobbins B just described relate to the positioning of the four yarn types held yarn carrier 42. It follows that there will be as many differing bobbins, i.e., differing in type of marking indicia, as there are different yarns to be wound. It is also to be understood that in the embodiment herein bobbins with recesses of the same depth will all have the same type of yarn wound thereon. The number of bobbins with different indicia thereon as illustrated herein is arbitrary and not limiting of the invention. In practice, it would be possible to wind a single type of yarn or a number of different yarns on the machine being described, with the number of differing bobbins depending-only upon the number of different positions on the yarn carrier 42 which are to be accommodated. If the number of different positions in the yarn carrier 42 is in excess of four, the differing bobbins corresponding thereto would merely be modified by embedding the appropriate number of different sized inserts into their recesses 120, thereby establishing as many variable recesses in the different bobbins as positions to be accommodated. It should be noted that normally each position on the yarn carrier will accommodate a different type of yarn. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that modifications to the bobbins, in keeping with the spirit of the invention, may take a multitude of forms any one of which would be acceptable for the purposes described herein. Variations may include such expedients as rings or grooves applied to the periphery of the bobbin barrel or to the butt portion, or simply recesses drilled to varying suitable depths in the base of each bobbin.

The bobbins just described are cooperable with sensing mechanism of the winding machine for controlling the supply yarn to be wound. As already indicated the sensing operation takes place as a denuded bobbin is transferred from magazine 86 to winding position. In the course of this movement the bobbin is halted for a brief moment, in the order of one to two seconds, while sensing of the indieca on the bobbin is achieved. The sensing operation is carried out by aplunger 122 which is slidingly received through a bushing 123 in the wall of casing 10. An anvil 124 is fastened by means of a bracket 125 to tailstock 16. This anvil 124 serves to brace each bobbin against axial movement as plunger 122 is operated outwardly toward said bobbin. Plunger 122 has an adjustable screw 126 threaded into its forward end. A retainer ring 128 is secured in a peripheral slot at the forward end of plunger 122 outside of casing 10 to limit the leftward movement of the plunger (FIG. 8). A second retainer ring 130 is received in a peripheral slot on the rear end of plunger 122 within casing 10. Said ring 130 provides a seat for one end of plunger spring 132, the other end of the spring engaging bushing 123. Thus, it will be understood that plunger 122 is normally biased to the left with its ring 128 bearing against the side of casing 10, as viewed in FIG. 8.

With continuing reference to FIG. 8 it will be seen that the end of plunger 122 opposite from bobbin B is slotted to form a yoke 133. One end of a link 134 is pinned to yoke 133 at 136 and the other end is connected to a vertical arm 138 by a further pin 140. Inturn, the upper end of said vertical arm 138 is formed with a collar 142 which is connected fast on a shaft 144. As will best be seen in FIG. 1 shaft 144 is elongated to extend crosswise in casing 10. Also, said shaft 144 is supported for rotation in bearing blocks 146, 148 secured in the interior floor of casing 10.

Viewing FIGS. 1, 4, 9 and 10 there is provided linkage operable to rock shaft 144 and actuate plunger 122 during the bobbin sensing operation. Thus, a pair of depending levers constituting a driving lever 150 and a driven lever 152 are carried on shaft 144. Driving lever 150' is freely rotatable on shaft 144 while driven lever 152 is fast on said shaft. Driving lever 150 has a lateral portion extending thereon to form a tab 154 which is bent at a right angle to intersect the plane of rotary motion of lever 152. Similarly, driven lever 152 has a lateral extending finger 156 projecting outward therefrom, all as best seen in FIG. 9. A tension spring 158 is employed to join levers 150, 152 together, the spring 158 being connected at its opposite ends to tab 154 and finger 156.

The lower end of lever 150 is loosely fastened to a link 160 via stud 162. The opposite end of link 160 is connected with an adjustable extension member 164, this member 164 being attached at its opposite end to an actuating arm 166 via pin 167. To the end that the effective length of member 164 may be selectively set this member has a pair of elongated slots 168, each of which receives a screw 170.

The actuating arm 166 is loosely suspended on crossbar 38 for rocking movement thereon. As best seen in FIG. 9 actuating arm 166 is angularly shaped and has its apex extending into the rotational path of a driving roll 174 embedded in the side of cam 28. A roll engaging surface 176 and a dwell portion 178 are shaped into the apical portion of the actuating arm 166 for cooperation with roll 174. Thus, as cam shaft 24 is cycled through its usual one revolution, in the direction of the arrow in FIGS. 4 and 9, roll 174 is caused to move against surface 176. This causes actuating arm 166 to rock in a counterclockwise direction (see FIG. 9). This motion is, of course, against the bias of plunger spring 132 which normally acts to rotate shaft 144 and urge shaft 144 clockwise and therefore urge actuating arm 166 leftward, as viewed in FIG. 9.

It has already been mentioned that an upstanding lever 68 is incorporated in the winding machine as a component of the increment feed mechanism and is operatively connected with carrier 42 via shaft 56. As is most evident in FIGS. 3 and 11, said lever 68 has a stepped ratchet member 180 secured thereto as by rivets 182. In accordance with the present embodiment wherein it is presumed that up to four different types of yarn may be handled by the winding machine, it will be seen that four steps 184a-d are provided, each being formed progressively deeper in the side wall of member 180.

For cooperation with the several steps 184ad there is provided a pawl assembly secured to guide plate 70 and constituted as a vertical finger 186, FIGS. 3, 4 and 11, integral with plate 70 and upturned from one edge thereof. A pawl lever 188 is pivotally attached at one of its ends to the upper terminus of finger 186 by a stud 190. A pawl member 192 is secured to the free end of lever 188 and is aligned to seat in any one of the several steps 184a-d of ratchet member 180. A vertical link 194 is attached at its lower end to the central section of lever 188 by means of pin 196, and the upper end of said link 194 is attached by a further pin 198 to a short lever 200. The end of lever 200 remote from its point of connection with link 194 is drilled through to loosely receive shaft 144 therethrough. A companion lever 202 is positioned beside lever 200 on shaft 144, this latter lever being tightly fastened to said shaft for rotation therewith. Levers 200 and 202 are joined together by a spring 204 extended between said levers. The spring 204 acts to bias lever 202 against a stop stud 206 fixed in the side of lever 200.

In operation, the winding machine is threaded up and operated through its winding cycle in the same fashion as described in the earlier cited US. patent and application for patent. In order that a fresh bobbin may be automatically positioned for winding between chucks 12, 14

it has already been explained that the bobbin is conveyed from magazine 86 to the winding position by arms 88, 89. The movement of said arms is effectuated by a cam 26 rotatable on cycling cam shaft 24. Said shaft 24 is rotatable through one revolution after each bobbin is wound and prior to the winding of a fresh bobbin, as explained in the cited patent and patent application, to control certain motions attendant to the automatic cycling of the machine. As arms 88, 89 convey said bobbin, the signalling means of the instant invention is operable.

Thus, at an intermediate point in the path of travel of the bobbin from magazine 86 to chucks 12, 14 the bobbin is momentarily halted. This halted or stopped position coincides with the operational path of movement of plunger 122. The temporary halting of bobbin B is controlled by cam 126 as previously described. Thereupon, and as a consequence of the continuing rotation of shaft 24, plunger 122 is moved axially to the right (FIG. l) whereby its adjustable screw 126 senses the indicia which in the instant embodiment is the depth of the recess located at the butt of the bobbin. Anvil 124, which is positioned to receive the apical end of the bobbin thereagainst, holds the bobbin against axial movement as screw 126 bears on the base of the bobbin.

Initiation of plunger 122 is effectuated by rotation of cam 28. In consequence thereof, roll 174 rides onto surface 176 of arm 166 thereby rocking levers 150, 152 counterclockwise on shaft 144, viewing FIG. 9. Since lever 152 is fixed to shaft 144, said shaft is likewise rocked. In response thereto vertical arm 138 is rocked counterclockwise (FIGS. 4 and 8) whereupon plunger 122 is shifted axially against the bias of spring 132 so that screw 126 advances until arrested by a plug 121. To the end that roll 174 may ride over the edge of surface 176 and onto lower surface 178 after axial movement of plunger 122 is halted, the additional thrust of roll 174 is dissipated as lost motion through spring 158 and freely rotatable arm 150.

The sensing or reading of the indicia on bobbin B is transmitted through shaft 144 to lever 202, spring 204, and then to lever 200, thence to link 194 and to pawl lever 188. Hence, viewing FIG. 11 it will be appreciated that the extent to which pawl member 192 will be elevated or lowered will be a direct function of the rocking action of shaft 144.

The purpose for adjusting the position of pawl member 192 is as follows. Cam 30 is operable in response to rotation thereof to rock yarn carrier 42 to the right (FIG. 3) after each bobbin is wound and as shaft 24 is rotated. When the carrier reaches a full rightward position it is released for leftward rocking movement about pivot stud 44 under the bias of spring 62. It will be understood that the extreme rightward position of yarn carrier 42 is at least a distance sufficient to align the yarn held in the extreme lefthand guide 50a and companion clamp-shear unit 52a with the operable path of yarn delivery arm 54. It follows that as the carrier is permitted to rock leftwardly in the fashion just described the various yarns held in the additional guides 50b-d and clamp-shear units 52b-d are passed through the operating path of movement of delivery arm 54. Thus, the degree of movement of yarn carrier 42 before it is stopped will control the type of yarn to be delivered to bobbin B by delivery arm 54. The function of pawl member 192 is to achieve arresting of yarn carrier 42 in a position so that the desired yarn will be placed on the denuded bobbin next to be wound. Thus, as shaft 144 is rocked to a degree controlled by the limit of movement of plunger 122, pawl member 192 is coincidentally elevated or lowered. Thereupon, as yarn carrier 42 and its associated lever 68 move leftwardly toward pawl member 192, the pawl member arrests further movement by seating in a step 184a-d. It will, of course, be appreciated that each step 184ad is so related to the indicia on bobbins B that the type of yarn correlated to a specific indicum, i.e., a specific depth of bore in the butt of bobbin B, will be wound on that bobbin.

The spring 204 (FIGS. 4 and 11) is provided to allow for lost motion as shaft 144 is rocked in its initial stage. Thus, a shaft 144 is rocked through its first few degrees, lever 202 which is fast on shaft 144 is also rocked. However, the motion is dissipated via spring 204. After ratchet member 180 moves away from pawl member 192 and frees said pawl member lever 200 is urged clockwise in conjunction with the movement of shaft 144. This latter motion is transmitted through spring 204.

It will be understood that the actuation of plunger 122 to penetrate the depth of bore of each bobbin B occurs in a very brief period, not more than a few seconds. Thereupon the plunger 122 is returned under the bias of spring 132 to a rest or inactive position. The arms are free at that time to transfer the bobbin B to winding position, the apical end of the bobbin simply sliding over the surface of anvil 124 during this further movement. As explained earlier, the bobbin is thereupon wound with yarn consistent with the indicum on the bobbin. The bobbin is then placed in its appropriate compartment of supply magazine 86 where it rests until transferred to the shuttle of loom L for use. After use it is ejected to a conventional bobbin stripper, denuded, and then reconveyed by conveyor C to magazine 86 for a further winding cycle as just explained.

The foregoing specification has presented the preferred embodiment of an invention which is applicable to conventional automatic bobbin winding machines, especially those associated with a weaving loom calling for a plurality of different yarns in rapid sequence. In accordance therewith, bobbins which are slightly modified, generally consistent with the d iferent yarns being wound, are sensed during one step of a cyclical winding sequence. Information as to the particular bobbin sensed is directed to yarn controlling means for positioning the particular yarn to be wound into location for subsequent winding onto the sensed bobbin. Unlike conventional sensing mechanisms of the demand type which determined those reserve bobbin compartments containing the lowest supply of wound bobbins and signalled the winding mechanism to wind bobbins to replenish the low compartments, the invention calls for a sequence for winding new bobbins which is in the same order to that in which spent bobbins are doifed from the loom. The invention, therefore, results in a much less complicated, highly elfective mechanism for assuring delivery of wound bobbins to the loom consistent with their rate of use by the loom.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpereted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A bobbin for use with a winding machine having yarn delivery means operable to deliver on signal one of a plurality of yarns to the bobbin for winding thereon, and discriminating means operable to sense a signal for controlling said yarn delivery means; said bobbin comprising a portion for receiving yarn for winding thereon, and

criminating means for providing a signal thereto indicating the one of the plurality of yarns to be wound on said portion.

2. A bobbin as set forth in claim 1 including a base portion connected to said portion for receiving yarn, the indicator means being situated on said base portion.

3. A bobbin as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator means includes a passage of predetermined size in said bobbin.

4. A bobbin as set forth in claim 3 wherein said bobbin includes a base portion having an end wall, said passage being formed in said end wall.

5. A bobbin as set forth in claim 2 wherein said indicator means includes a passage, and stop means positioned in said passage for defining the depth of said passage.

6. A bobbin as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bobbin includes a base portion and an apical portion, said base portion and apical portion being formed as an integral one-piece unit, the apical portion being adapted to receive said yarn thereon for winding, said base portion being provided with said indicator means.

7. A bobbin as set forth in claim 6 wherein said indicator means is spaced from said apical portion.

8. A bobbin as set forth in claim 7 wherein said indicator means includes a passage of predetermined size in said base portion.

9. A bobbin as set forth in claim 8 wherein said passage has a predetermined depth.

10. A bobbin as set forth in claim 9 including stop means positioned in said passage to define the depth of said passage.

11. A bobbin comprising, a base portion, an elongated apical portion connected to a first end of said base portion, said apical porton being adapted to have yarn wound thereon, said base portion having a second end remote from said first end, at least a part of said second end defining indicator means for cooperation with an indication detecting element operable to transmit a signal, said indicating means being spaced from said apical portion.

12. A bobbin as set forth in claim 11 wherein said indicator means includes a passage of predetermined size in said base portion.

13. A bobbin as set forth in claim 12 wherein said passage has a predetermined depth.

14. A bobbin as set forth in claim 13 including stop means positioned in said passage to define the depth of said passage.

References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS 288,133 8/1931 Italy.

STANLEY N. GILREATH, Primary Examiner. 

